My body is my ally (poem)

My body is my ally.

Together, we navigate
all that comes our way
life’s twists and turns
the unexpected and the well-planned.

I’ve decided that there will be no more
fighting against this body,
this one who has loved me
stayed with me despite
my hate for it
at different times throughout my life,
this one that has stayed
despite my disgust and anger
and desire
for it to be completely different
from what it is.

Somehow she’s always persevered,
always held me anyway
possibly hoping praying
I would someday notice.

And, today,
it’s happened.
lo and behold,
a miracle has occurred.
this body—truly a wonder,
a beauty to behold
with its curves and softness
strength and sturdiness
how did I not notice this before?
feel this before?

it is the land, the gravity
that holds me
even when nothing makes sense
and I am out of my mind,
the tears won’t stop,
the pain too much to bear.

it holds me too
when there is pleasure
when life’s bounty is full
and it is felt and seen and taken in
and loved.

It holds me
gently but firm
never wavering
my temple in this life.
and dear one, I would choose you over
and over and over again.

No longer will I deny you.
I love you now and always
even as we both continue
to change and grow and evolve.
never will I abandon you again.

I am here for you as you are for me,
and I will hear you.

stay with me,
let’s see how much more alive we can become
there is so much more life to discover.